Dave Kommel Photography

Dave Kommel Photography Photographic chronicles of a lifetime love of drag racing and land speed racing with a few birds and some wildlife thrown in for good measure!
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After falling in love with drag racing in 1960 reading Hot Rod, I finally made it to my first race at Union Grove WI in 1966 and it was all downhill from there. I started going to Irwindale, OCIR and Lions every weekend and once I started getting photo credentials around 1973, I started traveling to races, mainly on the west coast. In 1979, Richard Shute and I teamed up to form Auto Imagery and ov

er the next 35 years, we covered somewhere over a thousand events. Now that I am off the NHRA treadmill, I will be going to select events that pique my interest as well as continuing to scan and catalog my negs and slides from the 1970's. You can peruse and (hopefully) purchase my past and current work at www.davekommel.photoshelter.com

Richard is still on the NHRA trail and if you are looking to purchase photos from current NHRA national events, your first stop should be www.autoimagery.com. Dave Kommel Photography
PO Box 428
San Dimas CA 91773
818-519-7601 voice or text
[email protected]
instagram: dkfoto49
instagram: dkfoto49_nature

Rick Williamson in the Williamson & Williamson “Hairy Canary” Chevy Monza BB/Funny Car at Fremont in 1978.
09/02/2026

Rick Williamson in the Williamson & Williamson “Hairy Canary” Chevy Monza BB/Funny Car at Fremont in 1978.

Pat Foster in Barry Setzer’s Chevy Vega AA/Funny Car at the 1972 Winternationals.
09/01/2026

Pat Foster in Barry Setzer’s Chevy Vega AA/Funny Car at the 1972 Winternationals.

Cory Holcomb with a wheels up launch in his Fuel Altered at the 2023 Funny Car Chaos Classic at the Texas Motorplex.
08/31/2026

Cory Holcomb with a wheels up launch in his Fuel Altered at the 2023 Funny Car Chaos Classic at the Texas Motorplex.

Rick Ramsey in the Keeling & Clayton “California Charger” and Frank Bradley in their Top Fuel dragsters at Orange County...
08/30/2026

Rick Ramsey in the Keeling & Clayton “California Charger” and Frank Bradley in their Top Fuel dragsters at Orange County International Raceway in 1973.

Dennis Baca heats the tires of his Top Fuel Dragster at the 1978 March Meet.
08/29/2026

Dennis Baca heats the tires of his Top Fuel Dragster at the 1978 March Meet.

Kelly Brown in Ed Wills’ “Mr. Ed” Dodge Charger AA/Funny Car at Lions in 1972.
08/28/2026

Kelly Brown in Ed Wills’ “Mr. Ed” Dodge Charger AA/Funny Car at Lions in 1972.

Pat Foster in Joe Pisano’s Pontiac Firebird AA/Funny Car at Orange County International Raceway in 1977 with Mike Hallor...
08/27/2026

Pat Foster in Joe Pisano’s Pontiac Firebird AA/Funny Car at Orange County International Raceway in 1977 with Mike Halloran in the far lane.

8 weeks from today we will be heading north to Bakersfield.The California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Good Vibrations ...
08/26/2026

8 weeks from today we will be heading north to Bakersfield.

The California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports and featuring Nitro Revival, is set to deliver a full weekend of throwback style drag racing action when the event returns to the legendary Famoso Dragstrip October 23rd–25th, 2026.
This year’s Reunion will feature 17 different drag racing classes, ranging from door slammers to gassers to altereds and much more.
Headlining the weekend will be the fan-favorite nitro-burning Top Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars and AA/Fuel Altereds, bringing the sights and sounds of nitromethane-powered drag racing to Famoso’s historic quarter-mile.
Pro Modified racing will also return in a big way, with the West Coast Outlaw Pro Mod Association competing throughout the weekend. Joining them will be the NHRA Heritage Series Group 1 and Group 2 classes, along with the always-popular A/FX class.
Making its return following its successful debut at the 2025 California Hot Rod Reunion is the California Independent Funny Car Association (CIFCA). The Outlaw Gasser Association will also be on hand, making smoky burnouts and high-flying wheel standing exhibition runs throughout the weekend.
With 17 classes competing, the 2026 California Hot Rod Reunion promises a jam-packed weekend of drag racing action, from the roar of nitro-burning race cars to the wheel-standing excitement of vintage and modern competition.
And the racing is only part of the experience!
Every California Hot Rod Reunion ticket is an ALL-ACCESS PASS and includes access to the pits, Car Show, Vendor Midway and Swap Meet. Fans can get up close to the race cars and drivers, browse hundreds of vendors and swap meet displays, and experience the history and culture that have made the California Hot Rod Reunion one of the premier events on the West Coast.
“Whether you’re a lifelong drag racing fan or experiencing the Reunion for the first time, there will be something happening all weekend long,” said event producer, Blake Bowser. “With 17 different racing classes, nitro-burning legends, Pro Mods, A/FX, Funny Cars, Gassers and so much more, this is going to be one incredible weekend at Famoso.” About the California Hot Rod Reunion
The California Hot Rod Reunion celebrates the history, heritage and excitement of drag racing while bringing together legendary race cars, drivers, fans and families for a weekend of competition and entertainment at Famoso Dragstrip. The event is presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports and features Nitro Revival, with proceeds benefiting the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

You can order tickets here: https://tickets.thefoat.com/famosospecialevents/BLUE+SPECTATOR+TICKET+2026+HOT+ROD+REUNION/tickets/id-Ij9t_WiXy51-/clear_cart-1

Jerry Darien in the Miller, Darien & Gatlin “Green Gang” AA/Blown Alcohol Dragster running Pro Comp at the 1980 March Me...
08/26/2026

Jerry Darien in the Miller, Darien & Gatlin “Green Gang” AA/Blown Alcohol Dragster running Pro Comp at the 1980 March Meet.

Richie Zul in the Reher & Morrison Pro Stock Chevy Monza at the 1977 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.
08/25/2026

Richie Zul in the Reher & Morrison Pro Stock Chevy Monza at the 1977 NHRA Winternationals in Pomona.

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PO Box 428
San Dimas, CA
91773

Telephone

+18185197601

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